What is somewhat surprising, though, is that the production will utilize IMAX cameras for certain sequences.  The Dark Knight became the first narrative feature to partially shoot with IMAX cameras, and Christopher Nolan's final Batman movie, The Dark Knight Rises, will contain roughly a full hour of IMAX footage.  Director Brad Bird also used the unwieldy cameras to great effect on certain shots in last year's Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol.  This will be the first time shooting in IMAX for Francis Lawrence, who was selected to direct after The Hunger Games director Gary Ross declined to return for the sequel.

IMAX announcements don't usually come this early, but Lionsgate is getting all of its Catching Fire ducks in a row.  Principal photography is scheduled to begin this fall, with the major surviving characters from the first Suzanne Collins novel adaptation back for another go-round in Panem.  Just yesterday, we heard that Lionsgate was looking to have Philip Seymour Hoffman join the cast as supporting player Plutarch Heavensbee.

But back to today's news.  Here's the full press release from Lionsgate and IMAX:

SANTA MONICA, Calif., June 13, 2012 -- IMAX Corporation and Lionsgate, a leading diversified global entertainment company, today announced that The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, the second film in the wildly popular franchise, will be released in the immersive IMAX® format on November 22, 2013.

The first Hunger Games film just crossed the $400 million mark at the North American box office, making it the 14th highest-grossing film of all time. The film has grossed nearly $650 million worldwide, with a rollout in China (including 67 IMAX screens) later this month.  

Helping to further eventize this cultural phenomenon and transport moviegoers into the world of Panem, director Francis Lawrence will utilize IMAX® cameras in filming portions of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. Exclusively in IMAX® theatres, sequences shot with the extremely high-resolution cameras will expand to fill the entire screen with unprecedented crispness and clarity, putting moviegoers right into the action alongside Katniss and her fellow Tributes. Leading the cast is Oscar® nominee Jennifer Lawrence, reprising her role as Katniss Everdeen, along with fellow returning cast members Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark.

"We are thrilled to continue the productive partnership we enjoyed with IMAX on the first installment of The Hunger Games," said Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-Chairs Rob Friedman and Patrick Wachsberger.  "Our partnership on the first Hunger Games film was a resounding success, and we look forward to building on that experience with an expanded IMAX relationship on Catching Fire.  IMAX delivers a unique and memorable experience that is the perfect way to celebrate this special moviegoing event."

"Beyond the global phenomenon that was The Hunger Games, the film resonated exceptionally with IMAX fans, resulting in sell outs across the network during the limited IMAX run," said Greg Foster Chairman and President, IMAX Filmed Entertainment. "We are excited to expand our partnership with director Francis Lawrence, producers Nina Jacobson and Jon Kilik and the Lionsgate team as Catching Fire joins a select group of blockbuster titles that have filmed with IMAX cameras, elevating the property to the next level."

The IMAX release of The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX's customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire is based on the second book in Suzanne Collins' bestselling series.  It chronicles the life of Katniss Everdeen after she emerges from the 74th Annual Hunger Games victorious -- but far from safe.  Even as she becomes an unwitting symbol of the rebellion mounting in the districts, Katniss never loses sight of her commitment to protect her family.  The Hunger Games: Catching Fire will be directed by Francis Lawrence, and produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force in tandem with producer Jon Kilik. The novel on which the film is based is the second in a trilogy that has over 36 million copies in print in the U.S. alone.  Lionsgate will release The Hunger Games: Catching Fire on November 22, 2013.